Before students begin reading the book, you might consider some of the following ideas:

Write the book title on the chalkboard. Ask students to think about who the Great Gilly Hopkins might be and what her character might be like based on the book's title and the illustration on the cover. Have students explain their reasoning. Remind students to check their predictions when they read the story.

Make a copy of the book's table of contents and have students preview the chapter tides. What overall impression do these tides give? What predictions can students make based on these tides?

Introduce and discuss the terms “social worker” and “foster child.”

Ask students if they know what bravado is. Make a word web with their ideas on the chalkboard. Ask students to note how the main character in the book shows bravado and to think about the reasons why she does so.